Garage outlet circuits

[jeff48356]

Since kitchens and bathrooms have a requirement to have outlets on a separate 20-amp circuit with no lights or other outlets on them, why doesn't the same rule apply to outlets in a garage or outdoors? It would make sense, using the same logic for the reason why kitchens and baths need them. Garages are where people plug in power tools, so you wouldn't want to run them on 15-amp circuits, especially if they are part of a general lighting circuit. Same for outdoors -- yard tools, Christmas lights, etc. can also draw a lot of power which can overload a general lighting circuit. Whenever I wire garages and houses, I always wire all the garage outlets to a separate 20-amp circuit, and I wire an additional one for the outdoor outlets as well. All GFI protected, of course.

 

[infinity]

Although your observations may be correct the NEC doesn't find the need in those locations like it does for kitchens or bathrooms. Basically it's a design issue. I've seen Christmas light displays that needed multiple 20 amp circuits. Many garages share the receptacles with the power for the garage door opener too.

 

[augie47]

Remember Code is MINIMUM.
Garages and outdoor outlets in normal situations probably don't come close to having loads such as toaster ovens and hair dryers.

 

[rcarroll]

The code has an exception that does allow lights & fan on the same 20 amp circuit to the bathroom. As long as the circuit doesn't leave the bathroom.
Just a heads up.

 

[jumper]

Make a proposal if you feel strongly about the idea. Me, I do not, but that does not mean it is not a good idea.

 

[wirebender]

Some people use their garage to park their cars in.

Seriously, some people, maybe even most people don't use the garage receptacles for power tools. Seems strange to folks like us, I know.

Now, they might put 3 or 4 freezers out there. :jawdrop:

 

[jumper]

Now, they might put 3 or 4 freezers out there. :jawdrop:

I got 2 freezers and a fridge, 2 circuits, not one trip.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

If I know there will be a freezer or a refrigerator I will run a circuit for that and install the rest of the receptacles on another cir. If there are 2 garage doors I usually run a circuit for them and I always use #12 awg for these circuits. A choice not a code issue. I feel as you do but I don't believe the NEC needs to get more into design then it already has, especially since it isn't supposed to be a design manual.

 

[texie]

Make a proposal if you feel strongly about the idea. Me, I do not, but that does not mean it is not a good idea.

I believe there is a change comming in the 2014 to require a recep. for each car space. Can't remember the details, maybe someone can elaborate.

 

[infinity]

I believe there is a change comming in the 2014 to require a recep. for each car space. Can't remember the details, maybe someone can elaborate.

If you have a few minutes you can look here:

http://www.nfpa.org/AboutTheCodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?docnum=70&tab=nextedition&cookie_test=1

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I believe there is a change comming in the 2014 to require a recep. for each car space. Can't remember the details, maybe someone can elaborate.

I have heard that but have not seen it. I did see this

(G) Basements, Garages, and Accessory Buildings. For a one-family dwelling, at least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in the following specified areas. These receptacles shall be in addition to receptacles required for specific equipment. [ROP 2?178a]
(1) Garages. In each attached garage and in each detached garage with electric power. The branch circuit supplying this receptacle(s) shall not supply outlets outside of the garage. [ROP 2?178a, ROP 2?180]

 

[kwired]

I have heard that but have not seen it. I did see this

I dislike that as much as the possibility of requiring a 20 amp circuit to the garage.

Though it may be a good practice to do what that says, it is a design issue and doesn't belong in code IMO.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I dislike that as much as the possibility of requiring a 20 amp circuit to the garage.

Though it may be a good practice to do what that says, it is a design issue and doesn't belong in code IMO.

Well you are stuck with it so write a proposal to get rid of it for 2017

 

[kwired]

Well you are stuck with it so write a proposal to get rid of it for 2017

I read the ROP and here is the subtantiation:

Substantiation: Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
(PHEVs) however are becoming far more prevalent; government goals and
incentives, coupled with petroleum pricing and global warming consequences,
in coming years will augment this trend amongst dwelling occupants. 15- and
20-ampere garage receptacles are commonly on branch circuits shared by other
outlets in the dwelling unit. NEC? 625.14 however correctly recognizes at 15
and 20 amperes that an electric vehicle charging load is a continuous load
(persists longer than 3 hours to full recharge). Since even so-called Level 1
electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), cord-and-plug-connected, is rated
typically at the maximum allowable under Table 210.21(B)(2), 12 amperes, the
garage receptacles required by 210.52(G)(1) that can be connected to the EVSE
should be on branch circuits with no capacity exceeding the Table 210.21(B)(2)
maximum diverted to other outlets on the same branch circuit.

I still think it crosses the line of the NEC becoming a design manual.

I agree with this comment on affirmative at the end of this ROP:

ORLOWSKI, S.: NAHB urges the panel to reject this proposed change. The
concern for providing a dedicated branch circuit for electric vehicle charging
and not allowing any other outlets on this dedicated branch circuit was
addressed in CP212. If this proposal should be approved, it would now require
an additional branch circuit to feed the receptacle(s) in the garage and no other
receptacles. There has been a long standing practice in the code to allow a
single branch circuit to supply the required receptacles in the garage, the
unfinished basement and the
exterior receptacles. Why are we now going to require the garage receptacle(s)
to be on a dedicated branch circuit serving no other outlets and not permit them
to feed a exterior receptacle or a security light. ow that the current
allowance by the NEC was a No information was provided to
justify this change nor was any data provided to show that the current
allowance by the NEC was a hazard.